Kohlbergs Stages of Moral Development Essay

Kohlbergs six spirit levels john be more than in popular grouped into tercet takes of two stages distributively pre- received, conventional and post-conventional. Following Piagets constructivist requirements for a stage model, as described in his theory of cognitive development, it is extremely r atomic number 18 to regress in stagesto lose the use of high stage abilities. Stages can non be skipped each provides a new and obligatory perspective, more comprehensive and differentiated than its predecessors plainly integrated with them.Level 1 (Pre-Conventional)1. bow and punishment preference(How can I avoid punishment?)2. self-seeking orientation(Whats in it for me?)(Paying for a benefit)Level 2 (Conventional)3. interpersonal accord and conformity(Social norms)(The dependable boy/girl attitude)4. Authority and hearty- fix up maintaining orientation(Law and order goodity)Level 3 (Post-Conventional)5. Social contract orientation6. usual ethical principles(Principled conscience)The understanding gained in each stage is retained in subsequently stages, but whitethorn be regarded by those in later stages as simplistic, lacking in sufficient attention to detail.Pre-conventionaleditThe pre-conventional aim of virtuous debate is especially common in children, although adults can also unwrap this level of reasoning. Reas nonpareilrs at this level judge the moral philosophy of an action by its bespeak consequences. The pre-conventional level consists of the first and second stages of moral development, and is solely come to with the self in an egocentric manner. A child with preconventional morality has not yet adopted or internalized auberges conventions regarding what is right or ill-timed, but instead focuses largely on external consequences that certain actions may bring.In Stage atomic number 53 (obedience and punishment driven), respective(prenominal)s focus on the direct consequences of their actions on themselves. For example, an action is perceived as morally wrong because the perpetrator is punished. The last time I did that I got spanked so I will not do it again. The worse the punishment for the act is, the more lousy the act is perceived to be.16 This can give rise to an inference that charge innocent victims are guilty in proportion to their suffering. It is egocentric, lacking lore that others points of view are different from ones own.There is deference to headmaster power or prestige.Stage two (self- stakes driven) espouses the whats in it for me position, in which right behavior is defined by whatever the individual believes to be in their best interest but understood in a narrow way which does not consider ones constitution or relationships to groups of mountain. Stage two reasoning shows a limited interest in the needs of others, but only to a point where it skill further the individuals own interests. As a result, fear for others is not based on loyalty or intrinsic respect, but rather a You scratch my back, and Ill scratch yours. mentality. The lack of a societal perspective in the pre-conventional level is quite different from the loving contract (stage five), as all actions have the purpose of serving the individuals own needs or interests. For the stage two theorist, the spheres perspective is often seen as morally relative.ConventionaleditThe conventional level of moral reasoning is typical of adolescents and adults. To reason in a conventional way is to judge the morality of actions by comparing them to confederacys views and expectations. The conventional level consists of the third and fourth stages of moral development. Conventional morality is characterized by an acceptance of societys conventions concerning right and wrong. At this level an individual obeys rules and follows societys norms even when there are no consequences for obedience or disobedience. Adherence to rules and conventions is somewhat placed, however, and a rules appropriatenes s or fairness is seldom questioned.789In Stage three (interpersonal accord and conformity driven), the self enters society by filling social roles. Individuals are receptive to approval or disapproval from others as it reflects societys accordance with the perceived role. They try to be a good boy or good girl to outlive up to these expectations, having larn that there is inherent value in doing so. Stage three reasoning may judge the morality of an action by evaluating its consequences in equipment casualty of a persons relationships, which now begin to include things interchangeable respect, gratitude and the golden rule. I want to be liked and mind well of apparently, not being naughty makes people like me. hope to maintain rules and authority exists only to further support these social roles. The intentions of actors make a more significant role in reasoning at this stage one may feel more forgiving if one thinks, they mean well In Stage four (authority and social order o bedience driven), it is important to obey laws, dictums and social conventions because of their importance in maintaining a functioning society. Moral reasoning in stage four is and then beyond the need for individual approval exhibited in stage three. A central ideal or ideals often prescribe what is right and wrong. If one person violates a law, perhaps everyone would thus there is an obligation and a duty to uphold laws and rules. When someone does violate a law, it is morally wrong culpability is thus a significant factor in this stage as it separates the bad domains from the good ones. Most active members of society stay at stage four, where morality is still predominantly dictated by an outside force.Post-ConventionaleditThe post-conventional level, also known as the principled level, is marked by a growing realization that individuals are separate entities from society, and that the individuals own perspective may take precedence over societys view individuals may disobey rules inconsistent with their own principles. Post-conventional moralists live by their own ethical principles principles that typically include such primary human rights as life, liberty, and justice. People who exhibit post-conventional morality view rules as useful but changeable mechanisms ideally rules can maintain the general social order and protect human rights. Rules are not supreme dictates that must be obeyed without question. Because post-conventional individuals elevate their own moral evaluation of a situation over social conventions, their behavior, especially at stage six, can be confused with that of those at the pre-conventional level.Some theorists have speculated that many people may never reach this level of abstract moral reasoning.789In Stage five (social contract driven), the world is viewed as holding different opinions, rights and values. Such perspectives should be mutually respected as unique to each person or community. Laws are regarded as socia l contracts rather than rigid edicts. Those that do not promote the general welfare should be changed when necessary to meet the greatest good for the greatest number of people.8 This is achieved through mass decision and inevitable compromise. Democratic government is ostensibly based on stage five reasoning.In Stage six ( ordinary ethical principles driven), moral reasoning is based on abstract reasoning using universal ethical principles. Laws are valid only insofar as they are grounded in justice, and a commitment to justice carries with it an obligation to disobey unjust laws. Legal rights are unnecessary, as social contracts are not internal for deontic moral action. Decisions are not reached hypothetically in a conditional way but rather categorically in an absolute way, as in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. This involves an individual imagining what they would do in anothers shoes, if they believed what that other person imagines to be true.The resulting consensus is the action taken. In this way action is never a means but always an end in itself the individual acts because it is right, and not because it avoids punishment, is in their best interest, expected, legal, or previously hold upon. Although Kohlberg insisted that stage six exists, he found it difficult to identify individuals who consistently operated at that level